So if Vimeo is your preferred site for watching and sharing video, you can now watch and share the 10 teaching videos, an introduction/trailer, and the blooper reel. Enjoy!
And one of the great things about Vimeo is that in addition to being watchable and shareable,they are also downloadable from this site so you can take them places with no internet!
Thank you again to Spencer Folmar of Third Brother Films for creating them and, especially, to CLC Publications for making these available free to the public!
Anyone anywhere with YouTube can now watch and share the 10 teaching videos, an introduction/trailer, and the blooper reel. Enjoy!
Thank you to Spencer Folmar of Third Brother Films for creating them and, especially, to CLC Publications for making these available free to the public!
My film-making friend Spencer Folmar* has a brand new feature-length movie coming out in just 3 weeks. It’s called Generational Sins, and I was privileged to attend a special advanced screening.
Generational Sins is Spencer’s best and most artful production so far. I can’t begin to imagine what kind of work goes into directing a major movie project like this–shepherding all of the complex details from the idea stage all the way to the big screen.
The two principal actors clearly know what they are doing. Daniel MacPherson, who plays the central character of Drew Caldwell, is an Australian actor who will soon be appearing in Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time. He shows a great range in this film from outright rage to peaceful joy. His co-star, Dax Spanogle, who co-wrote the screenplay with Spencer, portrays Drew’s brother Will Caldwell and reminds me of a young Chris O'Donnell, with pluck and charm (and maybe some hidden depth). A minor character is played by the man famous for being Goofy (yes, that Goofy!).
Many of the other actors are familiar faces to me because they are actually neighbors and friends from around here in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania where most of the story takes place. It’s fun to see all of them (including a sweet little girl from our church family) and lots of our local landmarks, especially some great aerial shots! Spencer himself even pulls a Hitchcock and shows up in his own movie as a waiter at a local eatery.
An Explicit Gospel Message
As you might guess from the title, this movie deals heavily with spiritual and theological themes. Spencer is a Christian and has a deep desire to portray the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ in his films. In one key scene in Generational Sins, a compassionate pastor explains the good news explicitly, referencing the death and resurrection of Jesus and the power of forgiveness to change a person’s life. And there is a general (yet realistically zig-zaggy) movement in the story arc from darkness to light.
That doesn’t mean, however, that Generational Sins is a movie for every person to watch.
Spencer is trying to create something different than most other Christian films out there these days. He calls his new genre “hard faith” movies, films that go to greater lengths to fully depict the brokenness of our fallen world. You can look at the line-up of movies that Spencer intends to make and see the kinds of heavy subjects he wants to interact with through his art.
Generational Sins is rated PG-13 and for good reason. It is intense, dark, and gritty. The main characters are unhappy, unlikable, and angry with each other and God for most of the movie. The story revolves around jagged realities like child abuse, rage, lust, addiction, fear, and suicide. And there is a good bit of crass and coarse language from beginning to end (even from the saintly mother character!). If your conscience won’t allow you to watch other movies like that, you’ll want to give this one a pass, too.
This week, a group of Christian women asked me if I thought they ought to attend the world premiere of Generational Sins. They had gone to other movies in the “faith-based” genre like God’s Not Dead, The Case for Christ, and War Room. I told them what I’ve written here–that Generational Sins is like those movies in being explicitly Christian, but it’s also significantly unlike those movies in both content and style. Ultimately, they decided to split into two groups that night: one that went to the movie prepared for what they’re going to see and another that is going out together for dessert and fellowship. I thought that was very wise.
It's so exciting to see it in yet another script and yet another language. I can't hardly wait to hold a copy in my own hands.
May the Lord use Противостоять сплетням to further His kingdom and help followers of Christ to win the war of the wagging tongue.
And here's yet another "first." CLC Belarus has dubbed and subtitled the original trailer into Russian, as well. Thanks to Third Brother Films for creating the short film in the first place and giving CLC permission to translate it across the globe.
In October, CLC Publications released Resisting Gossip Together: Participant's Guide and Bible Study as a companion book. This Summer, RGT already went into its second printing. I'm thankful for the chance to provide this study guide for folks who want to go deeper into God's Word on gossip. I was able to include material that didn't make it into the original book.
At the same time, CLC Publications also released a complementary set of videos featuring me teaching on the ten chapters of Resisting Gossip. They were produced, filmed, and directed by Spencer Folmar of Third Brother Films and have great music from The Gray Havens.
Restiendo el Chisme on Colombian National Television
I never saw this one coming!
On March 31st, the Spanish version was featured in an 18 minute segment on the morning show of Channel One, the national television station in Colombia. (Click on the picture here to got to the YouTube video.)
I don't know much Spanish, but from what I can tell, they did a great job of covering the contents and even the corny humor from the book.
I love the international reach of CLC Ministries.
The Korean and Russian translations are in production, and I can't wait to learn how the Lord might use those in parts of the world I will never see.
I'm particularly excited about this new release because I get to be a part of it in Montreal! On September 25th, Dave Almack and will be traveling up Montreal for the launch of Résister à la médisance. I'll be sharing more about this event as it gets closer.
CLC France has posted the cover, table of contents, the foreword, introduction and a bit of the first chapter in French.
2. "Side by Side."
Next month, Heather and I will be traveling to Virginia Beach to participate in the 2015 CCEF National Conference. I've been asked to teach a breakout session on "Behind the Back: When Side by Side Ministry is Distorted by Gossip."
I love the ministry of CCEF so I consider it a great honor and a high privilege to get to serve in this way. I can't hardly wait!
My heart is full of thanks to God for all of these blessings (and also the countless ones I have no idea He's sending me). May He get the glory now and forever.
Thank you,
Heather Joy, for your steadfast love through the ups and downs and twists and
turns of this “book thing.” I am a blessed husband. I love you.
Thank you,
Robin, Andrew, Peter, and Isaac for being such cheerleaders for Daddy’s book. I
am a blessed father.
Thank you,
Chuck and Anita Mitchell, for your listening ears, earnest counsel, and
overwhelming support. I am a blessed son.
Thank you,
Lanse Free Church Family, for praying me through this process and for letting
me set aside time to write this guide and to produce the videos. We, as a
church, are resisting gossip together!
I am a blessed pastor.
Thanks, Gary Foster, for ably representing me once again as my intrepid agent. And thank
you, David Almack and your growing team at CLC Publications. It’s a humbling
joy to see these resources come into existence and help people around the
world. Thanks for giving the videos away online! I am a blessed author.
Thank you,
Laurel Eriksen, for the webdesign of matt-mitchell.blogspot.com, especially
adding the new page with resources for Resisting
Gossip Together. And thank you, Elizabeth Nelson, Dennis Wadsworth, and Dan
Ledford for some on-the-spot editing at just the right moment. I am blessed to
have you as my friends.
Thank you,
David Platt, for the idea of adding “together” to the name of the study guide.
When I first read Radical Together, I
loved the concept of building community around this teaching. That’s what it’s
all about!
I’m really
grateful for those folks who opened up their homes, businesses, or other sites
for us to shoot the videos “on location.” Thank you, Cody & Holly Crumrine,
Jerome Nevling, Tom & Leesa Folmar, Maxine Orwick of the West Branch Dairy
Diner (a.k.a. “The Pumpkin House”), Jeff Spanogle and the Clearfield Alliance
Christian School, Bob Selfridge of TMM Data, Joe Greenland and the board of the
Oak Hill Memorial Cemetery, and Lanse Evangelical Free Church.
Thank you,
Susan Stallings, for being my biggest collaborator on this project. Thanks for
sharing all of your notes with me from your women’s Bible studies and giving me
permission to freely use your ideas for digging deeper–especially those helpful
charts. You’ve taught this material on resisting gossip more than anyone but
me! I love your commitment to inductive Bible study and not just fluffy
storytelling. Thanks also for your lighting-fast and eagle-eyed editing of the
first drafts. This little book may not have ever been finished without you, and
it certainly wouldn’t have been as good. I am a blessed nephew.
Thank you,
Lord Jesus, for these people who have blessed me in so many ways. You are the
greatest giver and the best gift of all. May you and your Father get all the
glory.
The complete Resisting Gossip Video Teaching Series DVD is available now for pre-order on Amazon. It includes all ten lessons (with music by The Gray Havens), 3 book trailers (good for introducing resisting gossip to your church, group, or organization), and the blooper reel. The DVD releases on October 7th in conjunction with Resisting Gossip Together.
The strangest feature is that instead of being listed as an author, I get to be listed as an actor on Amazon.
What's next? An IMDB profile? I don't think I'll quit my day job.
Now that the entire Resisting Gossip Teaching Series is out, we can show you a little bit of what it was like behind the scenes. In a word: fun.
Special thanks go again to Spencer for his sense of humor and hard work on this project, to the Gray Havens for the use of their fun yet serious song "Jack and Jill, pt 2," and to CLC Publications for giving these away to the online world.
Please Share
Don't forget that these ten videos are all free for streaming, downloading, and sharing. Please pass them on to whomever you think will profit from them. Each film is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a chapter in Resisting Gossip and a lesson from the new companion book Resisting Gossip Together which comes out in just one week.
Rejoice with me! The complete series is now online. All ten videos are free for downloading and streaming. Please use them and share them with others.
Special thanks to Spencer Folmar of Third Brother Films for producing, directing, filming, and editing them, to The Gray Havens for the use of your awesome music, to all the folks who opened up their places for us to film on location, and to CLC Publications for giving these films away to the online world.
Tune in Monday for one last video release: the outtakes on the blooper reel.
The Lord loves unity among brothers and sisters in Christ. Unity is utterly holy and divinely refreshing. God also hates unnecessary disunity among His people; therefore, we are called as the people of God to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1). Join Pastor Matt Mitchell as he teaches on how glorious unity is and what we can be doing to maintain it in our local fellowships. On Location
We filmed lesson #10 in an old, white, traditional-country-church-looking building in a very rural part of our county. There was no running water, and (more importantly) no electricity. That meant that we could only use natural lighting and that Spencer's fancy cameras would only be good as long as their batteries held up. We filmed it in the afternoon as the sun began to set--so it was crucial to get as much footage as quickly as possible. We just made it! The batteries died and the light left us just as we were filming the last take.
Please Share
Don't forget that these ten videos are all free for streaming, downloading, and sharing. Please pass them on to whomever you think will profit from them. Each film is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a chapter in Resisting Gossip and a lesson from the new companion book Resisting Gossip Together which comes out on October 7th.
That's all of them! Tune in Monday as we release the outtakes Spencer gathered for the Blooper Reel.
Shame, disgrace, condemnation, self-loathing–these are a few of the feelings we can experience after we give in to what seems like irresistible gossip. We know, deep down, that when we gossip we are offending God and hurting people so it is right to feel deep regret. Join Pastor Matt Mitchell as he teaches on the grace, peace, and light that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ. On Location
We filmed lesson #9 in a private airplane hanger. During the lesson, the hanger door opens dramatically letting in almost more light than Spencer's cameras could handle. The idea was to vividly picture how the gospel moves us from the darkness of shame and regret in gossip to the light of repentance, forgiveness, cleansing, and joy.
This episode also features the traditional feather pillow and gossip story which we acted out with a real old-fashioned feather pillow (thanks, Becky!) and a leaf-blower (thanks, Tom!).
Please Share
Don't forget that these ten videos are all free for streaming, downloading, and sharing. Please pass them on to whomever you think will profit from them. Each film is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a chapter in Resisting Gossip and a lesson from the new companion book Resisting Gossip Together which comes out on October 7th.
Tomorrow, we'll release the last lesson, #10: "Regretting Gossip."
What do you do with an enemy? When someone gossips about you, he or she is acting as your enemy. Our culture and our instincts urge us to defend ourselves and to retaliate. But our Lord says to follow His example and love our enemies. Join Pastor Matt Mitchell as he teaches on four love-in-action responses we can use when our opponents have gossiped about us. On Location
We filmed this at the offices of TMM Data (thank you Bob Selfridge!). Gathering around the water-cooler is another one of those typical times when gossip might flow. I really appreciate the two office guys who were willing to gossip on camera for us.
Please Share
Don't forget that these ten videos are all free for streaming, downloading, and sharing. Please pass them on to whomever you think will profit from them. Each film is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a chapter in Resisting Gossip and a lesson from the new companion book Resisting Gossip Together which comes out on October 7th.
It hurts to be gossiped about. When we find out we’ve been the target of a whispering attack, we feel betrayed, vulnerable, and robbed of our reputation. Caught in that unenviable position, it can be difficult to know what to do. Join Pastor Matt Mitchell as he teaches on how to relate to and trust in God when others are talking about us behind our backs. On Location
We filmed this seventh video at the war memorial in downtown Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. One of cameras wasn't working in the sunlight, but Spencer was able to get ample footage with the other camera. You can hear the sounds of traffic. It was a chilly, windy day in late March. It was hard to keep my papers from flying off the ubiquitous music stand.
Please Share
Don't forget that these ten videos are all free for streaming, downloading, and sharing. Please pass them on to whomever you think will profit from them. Each film is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a chapter in Resisting Gossip and a lesson from the new companion book Resisting Gossip Together which comes out on October 7th.
Tomorrow, we'll release lesson #8: "Responding in Love."
We’ve all been ambushed by a gossipy conversation. Whether with friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers, we’ve all been in social situations that unexpectedly took a detour into gossip, and it’s often unclear what we should do in those frequently awkward moments. Join Pastor Matt Mitchell as he teaches about biblical alternatives to listening to sinful gossip. On Location
Is there a more stereotypical place for gossiping than the beauty parlor? Is there a stranger place to find a preacher with a music stand?
Please Share
Don't forget that these ten videos are all free for streaming, downloading, and sharing. Please pass them on to whomever you think will profit from them. Each film is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a chapter in Resisting Gossip and a lesson from the new companion book Resisting Gossip Together which comes out on October 7th.
Tomorrow, we'll release lesson #7: "Responding in Faith"
Resisting gossip is not just about what not to do but also what to do. Sometimes, gossip feels irresistible, and we have a hard time seeing any other option than succumbing to the scuttlebutt. But God has something better for us to “put on” than unwholesome talk. Join Pastor Matt Mitchell as he teaches about the godly alternatives that the Lord provides for us to practice instead of speaking gossip. On Location
We filmed this one in the locker room at Clearfield Alliance Christian School (thanks, Mr. Spanogle!). We borrowed jerseys from their high school basketball team--a tight fit for me! I talked Spencer into including at least one shot of me actually making a basket. I'm afraid there were a lot of missed buckets. That music stand looks a little out of place.
Please Share
Don't forget that these ten videos are all free for streaming, downloading, and sharing. Please pass them on to whomever you think will profit from them. Each film is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a chapter in Resisting Gossip and a lesson from the new companion book Resisting Gossip Together which comes out on October 7th.
We're half-way there! On Monday, we'll release lesson #6: "Instead of Gossip: Listening."
Most, if not all, sinful gossip includes the sin of judgmentalism. Before we bear bad news behind someone’s back, our bad hearts have already passed sentence upon that person. Join Pastor Matt Mitchell as he teaches about three main ways that we often go wrong in judging others and how we can grow in believing the best about others instead. On Location
This is an actual courtroom near where we live. Spencer Folmar, our filmmaker, worked very hard to find authentic locations. This location fit perfectly with the sin of judging others.
Please Share
Don't forget that these ten videos are all free for streaming, downloading, and sharing. Please pass them on to whomever you think will profit from them. Each film is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a chapter in Resisting Gossip and a lesson from the new companion book Resisting Gossip Together which comes out on October 7th.
Tomorrow, we'll release lesson #5: "Instead of Gossip: Speaking."
Do you know a gossip when you meet one? More often than not, the Bible defines a gossip as a kind of person, not as a kind of speech. It is something you are, not just something you do. Join Pastor Matt Mitchell as he introduce five different kinds of gossiping people that you might meet (or might be!). On Location
This video was filmed at the West Branch Dairy Diner, also known around here as "The Pumpkin House" because of its orange exterior. The Pumpkin House is one of our local eateries and meeting places--yummy food and good conversation. I think that music stand looks a little out of place behind the counter.
Please Share
Don't forget that these ten videos are all free for streaming, downloading, and sharing. Please pass them on to whomever you think will profit from them. Each film is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a chapter in Resisting Gossip and a lesson from the new companion book Resisting Gossip Together which comes out on October 7th.
Tomorrow, we'll release lesson #4: "Believing the Best."
Why do we fall into the sin of gossip? What are the reasons that gossip is so alluring and powerful? What drives the sin of gossip in our lives? Join Pastor Matt Mitchell as he teaches on both the potency of stories and the central role of the heart. On Location
We filmed this second video in the home of Cody and Holly Crumrine which should look familiar to viewers who remember last year's trailer for Resisting Gossip--even the same potato chip bowl! The Crumrine's cat "Most Excellent Theophilus" was bound and determined to star in this film with me. No matter how many times we tried to lock it out of the kitchen, it found a way back in. Boy, was Theo surprised when I poured the water out on the floor! And there is that music stand again. Thank you, Crumrines!
Please Share
Don't forget that these ten videos are all free for streaming, downloading, and sharing. Please pass them on to whomever you think will profit from them. Each film is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a chapter in Resisting Gossip and a lesson from the new companion book Resisting Gossip Together which comes out on October 7th.
Tomorrow, we'll release lesson #3: "A Gallery of Gossips."
The first rule of war is to know your enemy. Before we can resist gossip, we must recognize it, but that’s not as easy to do as it may sound. Join Pastor Matt Mitchell as he teaches a biblical and practical definition of sinful gossip. On Location
We filmed this first video in my office at church. You get a peak into my little world of books and ideas where I do a lot of my research and writing. There's a shot (00:58) of the quote by Erasmus which Heather illustrated and I have prominently displayed: "When I get a little money I buy books. If any is left I buy food or clothes." There is also a shot of our wedding picture. In this video, the music stand makes its debut--and shows up in some of the most unlikely places throughout the series.
Please Share
Don't forget that these ten videos are all free for streaming, downloading, and sharing. Please pass them on to whomever you think will profit from them. Each film is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a chapter in Resisting Gossip and a lesson from the new companion book Resisting Gossip Together which comes out on October 7th.
Tomorrow, we'll release lesson #2: "Why Do We Gossip?"
I'm pleased to present the trailer for The Resisting Gossip Teaching Series, a collection of ten short films where I teach the essential lessons from Resisting Gossip.
One thing I love about the trailer is that you get a sweep of the whole thing--all ten locations in our little community and the titles of all ten lessons so you know what you'll be learning about. Each video is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a lesson from the new companion book Resisting Gossip Together which comes out on October 7th.
Another thing I love about the trailer is that it announces that these videos are a gift to the world from CLC Publications. We are giving away all 10 lessons online for free! They are available on DVD, as well which is terrific, but no one that has an internet connection has to pay a dime to receive this teaching.
I can't tell you how much I love the music in the trailer. I'm so thankful that Dave and Licia Radford of The Gray Havens gave their permission to use "Jack and Jill, pt. 2" from their upcoming album "Fire and Stone" [lyrics] as the theme music for this series!
But the thing I love the most is that it's finally here, and I can share it with you! Big thanks go to Spencer Folmar and his Third Brother Films for filming, directing, and editing this series together!
What's Next?
Starting on Monday, we'll be releasing one new lesson video each weekday until all ten are available. I'll also be posting the complete set on this Resisting Gossip Videos page.
And, as a bonus, when we've got all ten up, I'll share the blooper reel with you. Enjoy!
